Midori is a sweet, bright green-colored, melon-flavored liqueur that originated in Japan in 1964 under the name “Hermes Melon Liqueur.”  The liqueur was rebranded as Midori (the Japanese word for “green”) in 1978 to coincide with its release to the US market at Studio 54 in New York City, for a party for the cast, crew and producers of Saturday Night Fever (including John Travolta).   Midori was initially made exclusively for Japan, and it quickly became popular around the world once it expanded outside its borders–particularly in the United States.

Midori is made from a blend of premium Japanese melons, which are then distilled and blended with neutral spirits and sugar.  Midori has a sweet, fruity flavor that is often described as tasting like a combination of honeydew melon and cantaloupe.  The liqueur is currently produced in Japan, United States, France and Mexico.